Powering the “LOOP”

When Hurricane Katrina stuck the Gulf Coast in August of 2005, it caused catastrophic damage to homes and critical infrastructure in Gulf Coast area. Due to the widespread areas of damage, hospitals, police & fire stations, 911 centers, and local emergency management and response command centers, and many other areas of critical infrastructure required emergency generators in order to operate. In all, critical infrastructure in the affected areas required over 200MW of power from rental generators.

One of the critical areas impacted by Katrina was the “LOOP” (Louisiana Offshore Oil Port) pumping station outside Port Fourchon, LA. This pumping station controls the distribution of crude oil to 50% of the county’s refineries. Due to the intensity of the storm and associated storm surge, the main pumps at the “LOOP” pumping station we left inoperable. With news breaking about the damage to the station, and gas prices soaring nation-wide as a result, emergency provisions were made to get this critical infrastructure component back on line as soon as possible.

Due to the nature of the damage at the station, power had to be restored in order for the station to resume pumping operations. To restore power, the mobilization of a 22.8MW GE TM2500 rental gas turbine, 12MW of rental diesel generator capacity, rental transformers with distribution panels, and miles of electrical cable were immediately undertaken. With the support of the United States Government, the TM2500 turbine assembly was flown on an emergency basis from Milan, Italy to Louisiana, while additional components were mobilized from all over the United States.

Once the equipment was at the “LOOP” site, our service professionals installed the entire system and had the station operating again, all in less than 9 days. Once the system was operational, the flow of crude oil started again and half of the nation’s refineries were back up to full production.

Even though this project was one of the most critical we’ve ever been a party to, and was very complex from a technical standpoint, our professionals at PowerFactor® were able to meet the challenge and provide the quickest, most effective solution available to restore this critical component of the U.S. Oil &Gas infrastructure.

This is one of many projects that have been deemed a “huge success” for the professionals at PowerFactor®. Please call us to learn more about our specialty project capability and other Sales & Rental Services.

Temporary Command and Recovery Centers

Sadly, as a result of major disasters such as flooding, hurricanes or earthquakes, mass injuries, loss of local infrastructures and treatment facilities, and even loss of life are sometimes the tragic results. In these devastating situations, authorities are often overwhelmed and are unable to immediately cope with the clean up required, the restoration of services needed to treat the injured, and tending to the most unfortunate losses with dignity. In such cases, we have been able to provide temporary tent complexes, complete with electrical power and climate-control, to affected areas. These fully functional “tent compounds” serve to support operational command for recovery operations, temporary medical services, and even coroner support in the worst cases.

While these situations are very unfortunate, we are proud to serve the many people in need when these type tragedies strike.

Please contact us to learn more about our experience in disaster recovery situations or our other Sales & Rental Solutions.

Call us today!